Nicaragua Travel Overview
Important facts
Capital: Managua (See more on SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES.COM)
Official language: Spanish
Currency: Cordoba Oro
Continent: Central North America
Discover the beauties of Central America
Once shaken by civil wars, Nicaragua is increasingly being discovered by tourists
Location
According to Countryaah, Nicaragua is in Central America. The state borders the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is bordered by Honduras in the north and Costa Rica in the south.
Worth knowing
As different as the regions of the country are its residents and their culture. The country is best captured as a backpacker, as there are many sights and natural sites waiting to be discovered. You can easily stay longer in Nicaragua as the demand for English teachers is steady. However, it is advisable as a tourist to travel to the country with caution, since whites are generally considered rich.
Travel in Nicaragua
The region is often shaken by severe storms. So plan your trip well and pay attention to the rainy season, which is the strongest between July and September.
Located in the Caribbean Sea, you can count on pleasantly warm water all year round. The area is therefore ideal for diving and sailing trips and beach holidays. The region is also very popular among deep-sea fishermen.
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
Cordoba Oro (100 Centavos)
ISO 4217 code
NOK / 558
Geography
Continent: North America
Region: medium
Geo coordinates: N 12 ° 51 ‘55.5 ” W -85 ° -12’ -26″
Highest mountain: Mogoton (2,438 m)
Total area: 129,494 km²
Mainland: 120,254 km²
National border: 1,231 km
Coastline: 910 km
Politics
Dependency: Spain until 1821
UN member since: 1945
Other political affiliation: Organization of American States
Form of government: Socialist republic
Economy
Export goods: Cotton, coffee, sugar
BSP: $ 6,582,000,000
GDP: $ 7.447 million
GDP purchasing power parity: $ 18.34 billion
Economic growth: 4.3%
GDP share of agriculture: 14.2%
GDP share of industry: 28.1%
GDP share of services: 57.7%
Inflation rate: 9.4%
Unemployment: 5.4%
State budget revenue: $ 1416,000,000
State budget expenditure: $ 1544 billion
National debt: 78.6%
Export: $ 1,920,000,000
Import: $ 3,288,000,000
Foreign debt: $ 2,943,000,000
Gold and currency reserves: $ 894,000,000
Electricity consumption: 2,072 million KWh
Oil consumption: 32,600 million m³
Cultivation area: 16.56%
Bovine: 2,657,000 pieces
Pigs: 466,000 pieces
Fishing: 31,700 t
Demographic data
Residents: 5,570,200
Residents in cities: 3,127,000
Average age: 20.9 years
0-14 years: 36.4%
15-64 years: 60.5%
> 65 years: 3.1%
Population growth: 1.89%
Birth rate: 24.51 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 4.45 / 1,000 residents
Migration: -1.17 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 1
Fertility: 2.75 children / woman
Infant mortality: 28.11 ‰
Life expectancy men: 68.55 years
Life expectancy women: 72.81 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: NI
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: NIC
ISO 3166 numeric: 558
Top Level Domain: ni
IOC country code: NCA
UN / LOCODE: NI
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 232,000
Cell Phones: 424,000
Radios: 1,610,000
TV: 470,000
Computer: 220,000
Internet users: 390,000
Transportation
Railway lines: 6 km
Paved roads: 2,389 km
Cars: 116,000
Pipelines: 54
Health
Number of doctors: 4,260
Daily food intake: 2.290 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 7,500
Education
Illiteracy: 30%
History
Foundation: 1821
Last sovereign since: 1821
Religion
Main religious group: Christians
Crime
Prison inmates: 5,800
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 13,000
Defense Spending: $ 33,100,000
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
Airlines that fly to Nicaragua are Avianca (AV) (Internet: www.taca.com), American Airlines (AA), United Airlines (UA), Copa Airlines (CM), Aerocaribbean (7L) and Delta Air Lines (DL).
Flight times
Approx. US $ 35, included in the ticket price.
Air passes
The MEXIPLAN flight pass from AeroMéxico is valid for flights within Mexico as well as for flights between Mexico and Canada, the USA and countries in Central and South America. It is only valid in conjunction with an international long-haul flight booked in Europe before the start of the journey and is available in the Economy and Business categories. At least two domestic or international flights from Mexikana must be booked per person, the minimum length of stay is 3 days, maximum 90 days. More information at www.agenciasaeromexico.com/docs/mexiplan_ing.pdf.
The All America Airpass (Internet: http://www.allairpass.com/) offers a flexible coupon system for travel to Latin and North America. It is valid on over 2000 routes of the 17 participating airlines, regardless of the choice of transatlantic carrier. There is no minimum purchase of flight coupons; any combination of airlines, routes and stops within the All America Airpass-Travel zone. The maximum length of stay is 90 days from the use of the first flight coupon. Passengers must reconfirm all booked flights at least 72 hours before the next flight. No minimum stay required. Change of flight day and flight number is possible, rerouting is not permitted. The pass may only be sold to people with permanent residence outside the Caribbean, USA, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. Airport taxes are not included in the ticket price and must be paid on site.
Arrival by car
The Panamericana runs through Estelí and Managua.
Buses from King Quality (Internet: www.king-qualityca.com), Nicabus, Ticabus (Internet: www.ticabus.com) and Transnica run daily from Managua to most Central American capitals, including Tegucigalpa (Honduras), San Salvador (El Salvador) and San José (Costa Rica) (travel time: 9 hours). Tickets are available up to five days in advance. All required travel documents are checked before the ticket is issued.
Arrival by ship
The main ports of Corinto, Puerto Sandino, El Bluff and Puerto Cabezas are called by shipping companies in Nicaragua, Central and North America and Europe.
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
The airports of Bluefields, Rigoberto Cabezas and Corn Island on the Atlantic coast are served by La Costeña (Internet: www.lacostena.com.ni) and by charter airlines. The airport of San Juan de Nicaragua is connected to the capital Managua by La Costeña (Internet: www.lacostena.com.ni).
On the way by car / bus
Car: The roads in the Pacific Basin are good by Latin American standards and absolutely outstanding along the Pan-American Highway to the south. The roads north of León and in the mountains are tarred but not well maintained. There are almost only gravel roads along the Pacific coast. In the eastern part of the country the road conditions are only moderate. Tarred roads also connect San Juan del Sur with Corinto. Driving outside of urban areas can be dangerous, especially after dark. Driving at night is not recommended. In general, only off-road vehicles should be used when driving overland.
Bus:The public bus system is good, but the buses are often overcrowded. Most cities are connected by regional express bus routes.
Taxis are available at the airport or in Managua. Prices should be agreed before departure, a price list is posted in the taxis. Taxi rides are relatively inexpensive and tips are not common.
Rental cars are available in Managua or at the airport and are recommended as a means of getting around, as public transport is slow and crowded.
Documents: The national driver’s license is valid for up to 30 days.
Traveling in the city
Buses and minibuses in Managua are cheap but crowded. Official taxis have red license plates.
On the go by train
There is currently no passenger train service.
On the way by ship
Due to the many lakes, rivers, lagoons and the two oceans, traveling by water is often an option.
A ferry connects Bluefields with the Islas del Maíz twice a week. The approximately 300 islands in Lake Nicaragua are also served by ferries. There are ferry connections between Rigoberto Cabezas and Karata, Halower and Wawa.
Motorized dugout canoes operate from Bluefields to Bluff, Pearl Lagoon, Kukara Hill and Awas. Motorized dugout canoes also connect Bluefields to Corn Island (travel time: 30 minutes).